More Time

Everybody says they need more hours in their days. I know I say that. The husband always says that. He really could use a few more. It's 10:30 pm and he's mowing the neighbors farm with a flashlight. He didn't get home till almost 8. Overtime again. That makes Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday all day, yesterday morning, last night and tonight. (Sorry about that rabbit trail).

I read something yesterday that shed a new light on the more hours in a day. "There are just enough hours in the day to do what God has for you to do." Wow! There's a thought.

I think I'm spending to much time trying to do. You know, housework, schoolwork, cooking, etc.

I wonder why I don't spend more time building relationships, especially with my kids? Why don't I play that game that Leeny keeps asking to play? Or read that book to Bubby? I know he's capable of reading it himself and you'd think he'd be sick to death of my voice, but he wants me to read it. Or why not have that tea party with The Bug? Why? Is my housework and such more important? Of course not!

God gave me these kids and the blessing of being home with them. He gave me the same 24 hours as the next person. I need to spend my time differently. I need to enjoy this time more. The housework isn't going to end. We live on a farm so the dirt is always going to come in even if I just swept the floor 5 minutes ago. But the kids won't always be here.

I don't need more hours in my day. I need to put the important things first.

Cleaning Rooms

We were ready to walk out the door for church on Sunday. Because we were running late, we decided to go visit a church down the road instead of going to our church. As we were heading out the door, the phone rang. The Husband was going to work. Again. Friday night. Saturday night. And now Sunday.
I told the kids to go change, we were staying home. Then I told them they might as well start on their rooms. Talk about a mess!
They started at 10:30. Bubby didn't finish until 7. His room looked great. He cleaned off shelves, boxed up old toys, swept his floor, etc. Here he is organizing tapes and Cd's. Caught in the act of cleaning.

The girls were done in about 2 hours. Needless to say, their room isn't nearly as well done as his. Here is what I found them doing.
The Bug was supposedly straightening her bed. Should I buy it? Maybe.


Leeny, Leeny, Leeny. What to do with her? This is obviously NOT cleaning. Inventory? Maybe.


I'll just pretend she was taking inventory of all the clothes that need to be boxed up.

Progress?

The Bug posted this sign outside her and Leeny's room

I was so excited to see that while she spelled savior wrong, at least she spelled "save your" right.

Then I caught her spelling for believe in, "belivin."

Oh well. I think we're making progress.

A Taste for Reading

The Baby has developed a taste for reading. Literally.

I was trying to read a couple of Leeny's favorites from when she was little to The Baby. She just tried to lick the pictures.

She did like to look at the pictures though before tasting. I love watching her. I know she'll outgrow this very soon.

Then she'll like to read, just like her big brother and sisters.

Little Baker

The Bug has developed an interest in baking. So I decided to use that to my advantage and teach her one of my favorite cakes, homemade angel food.

She did a great job of separating the egg whites and measuring. We really had a lot of fun. And she did pretty much all of it herself.



We had only a small mess when we were finished. Now I understand why my mom always cleaned up the kitchen after me. I cleaned up after The Bug. Must be a mom thing. Or maybe we don't want ants. Anyway, the counter was sticky.

The cake baked and we let it cool. Then we planned to get a picture of it - to remember how perfectly it turned out. But....it's angel food and homemade at that. We couldn't resist. Here's the picture with a few pieces gone.

Good job Bug! You did a wonderful job! You're well on your way to being a great cake maker!

Just Venting

I might just smack the next stranger who says, with pity, that I have my hands full! or "are they all yours?" or "do you know what causes that?" So in honor of all those people I've compiled a list of comebacks. And one day, I may just use one of the funny ones instead of the nice replies.


1. You have your hands full

*If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart.

*Yes we know what causes it....and we love doing it.

*My hands are full but my wallet is empty. Can you spare a five?

*Don't say anything, just look puzzled at your hands. (This does obviously not work if you are carrying a baby :-)

*Yes, but I would rather have my hands full than empty!



2. Are they all yours?

*No, I like to gather up all the neighbors' kids and then go shopping

*HEHE!No, actually two are the mailman's and I am not sure whose is that one.....

*No, I picked up a couple extra in the produce aisle.

*Gee, I never heard that question before!

*Yes, and they're such good kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (the kids love that one!)

*I don't know. How many do you count?

*Yes. But if you have any you don't want, I'll gladly take them, too .

*No. I've been an avid collector for years and just picked these up in the food court!

*Yes, we just enjoy sex soooooo much!

*Yes, I always want just one more.



3. Don't you know what causes that?

*No, please tell me!

*Of course, don't you?

*Yes, we do know what causes that and we like it very much, thank you.

*Oh yes, we finally figured it out and we now keep the tooth brushes in seperate glasses!

*Oh yes, I now wash my husband's underwear seperately.

*Water or sex but I don't want to give up either.



4. Don't you have a television?

*Yes, but we only get X-rated channels

*Yes! Did you know there are 28 porn channels in this area?

*No, we have much better things to do at night!



Really? I only have 4 kids. That doesn't really seem like a lot. But obviously it is, because I can't go anywhere where people don't comment about it or look at me like some freak of nature.


Ok. I'm done venting now. Thanks to all the large families who've come up with those comebacks. That list cracks me up.

Leeny and Chores

(Pardon the outfit. Leeny thinks since the pants and shirt have stripes, it's a match. The Bug is mortified by her lack of fashion sense.)
Leeny told The Husband that she was ready to start getting allowance like Bubby and The Bug. She wanted to know how much he planned to pay her.
The Husband wanted to know what she planned to do in order to earn allowance. She said she plans to take care of the dairy goats. He told her that he'd have to see how hard of a worker she was before he'd know how much she was worth.
Leeny takes her jobs seriously. She's always been a great helper. And eager too. So out she went to water. But she watered them with a flower watering can! Why I'm surprised, I don't know. That's just like her. Instead of a few trips carrying 1 gallon watering buckets, she took at least 20 trips using her little flower waterer.

I hope she realizes that she's not getting paid per trip!